India Alliance Student Organizations Oppose Centre’s Education Policies, Cite Concerns Over NEP and UGC Draft Rules

Students Protest NEP 2020 & UGC Rules

Student organizations affiliated with the India Alliance have voiced strong opposition to the Centre’s education policies, particularly the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the recently proposed UGC draft rules. According to these groups, the reforms threaten the accessibility, affordability, and inclusivity of higher education, paving the way for increased privatization and commercialization of academic institutions.

Key Concerns Raised by Student Groups

The protesting student organizations argue that the NEP 2020 promotes an education system that favors elite institutions while making education unaffordable for marginalized communities. They claim that the policy’s emphasis on self-financed courses, multiple entry-exit options, and digital learning models disproportionately affects students from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have access to adequate financial or technological resources.

Similarly, the UGC draft rules regarding faculty recruitment, university autonomy, and foreign university collaborations have also been met with resistance. Protesters believe these changes could lead to the dilution of academic standards, increased tuition fees, and reduced government support for public institutions, making quality education less accessible to economically weaker students.

Allegations of Corruption in National Testing Agency (NTA)

Apart from policy-related concerns, student groups have also criticized the National Testing Agency (NTA) for its alleged mismanagement of key entrance exams. They cite multiple instances of paper leaks in crucial national-level exams such as UGC NET, CUET, and NEET, which they claim expose large-scale corruption and a lack of transparency in the examination process. Many students argue that the repeated leaks undermine the credibility of these exams, affecting the future of millions of aspirants.

Demands of the Protesting Students

Student organizations are demanding:

• A rollback of NEP 2020 and modifications to the UGC draft rules to ensure inclusivity and accessibility.

• Greater accountability in the NTA’s functioning, with stricter measures to prevent paper leaks and corruption.

• More government investment in public education to counteract privatization and safeguard the future of students from marginalized communities.

As protests continue across university campuses, student leaders insist that education should remain a fundamental right rather than a privilege, calling for greater government accountability in shaping policies that impact the nation’s youth.